POLICE ROUNDUP

Manhunt on vs driver who hit, killed student

TUBA, Benguet -- Police are now conducting manhunt operation against a driver who ran away after the public utility jeep he was driving hit a 17-year-old student killing the victim here in Barangay Tadiangan.

The jeep hit four vehicles and two motorcycles parked along the side of the road, and killed the student identified only as a certain Peralta of Baguio City high school who was walking along the sidewalk.

The victim was immediately brought to Saint Louis Hospital, but died on Nov. 18. Tuba police said that the jitney owned by Rafael Madanes of Dumpsite, Irisan, Baguio was driven by the still unidentified driver who fled after the incident. 

Investigation revealed that the driver was under the influence of liquour, and drove carelessly disregarding of traffic rules. --

Sohee Kim

 Philex employee buried alive by tunnel boulders

TUBA, Benguet – An employee of Philex Mining Co. was killed when he was buried alive by boulders inside a mine tunnel here at Camp 3 Nov. 17 around 8 a.m.

The victim was identified as Victor Denis Quines, 31, married, Accordingly, the victim was on 3rd shift duty in the underground from when he was buried with boulders during idening and blasting activity.

Immediately, underground miners rescued the victim and was rushed him to Philex Sto. Nino Hospital at about 10:35 a.m. but he was declared dead on arrival. The victim's body as brought to Philex Sto. Nino Morgue.

 Lady, 54 hit by motorcycle driven by drunk driver

LAGAWE, Ifugao – A 54-year-old lady was injured when she was hit by a motocycle here Nov. 17 around 6:20 p.m. along the national highway here at Natuwolan, Cudog.

The vehicle was driven by Kenneth Pawingi Dumangeng, 39, married, of Munggayang, Kiangan town when it hit a pedestrian identified as Vicky Tayaban Beleran, married, of Dullagan, Poblacion North.

Investigation disclosed the motorcycle was ascending the road from Lagawe proper towards Munggayang, encroached the opposite lane and bumped the victim who was walking. As a result, the driver together with his back rider identified as Gener Cumaldi Pulac and the pedestrian stumbled and sustained physical injuries.

They were brought to Natuwoan Clinic by a concerned citizen for medical treatment. The driver and his back rider were observed to be under the influence of liquor.

The motorcycle was brought to Lagawe police station for proper disposition while the driver was released from police custody as both parties amicably settled the case.

 Veggie vendor hacks driver

BAGUIO CITY – A driver was wounded after he was hacked on the head by a vegetable vendor here Nov. 16 around 8 p.m. at no. 22 Purok 2, Padre Zamora.

Reynaldo Cruz Baǹaga, 36, was hacked once at the side of his head by the arrested suspect identified as Mayolito Erno Allavado, 32, both residents of said address. 

Investigation disclosed the suspect was creating trouble at the place of incident when Bañaga came and pacified him. However, Allavado suddenly hacked the victim once at the left side of his head. The victim struggled and was able to disarm the bolo from the possession of the suspect and threw it away. The victim was brought to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment. Case was readied for inquest proceedings.

SK chairman, another, stabbed in Apayao

PUDOL, Apayao – A sangguniang kabataan chairman and another man were stabbed by a still unidentified suspect here Nov. 17 around 1 a.m. at Barangay Amado.

The victims were identified as MC Kevin Afaga Lacar, 23, single, SK chairman James Castillo, 26, student. 

Investigation disclosed around 9 p.m. tht night victims together with Edmar Pagdilao and Erick Bunnao attended a wedding celebration at the barangay.

Lacar was leaning on an owner type jeep parked along the road when the suspect approached him, and a heated argument ensued. The suspect brought out a knife and stabbed the victim. Accordingly, Castillo who was standing along the road was also stabbed and boxed by the suspect. The barangay tanods brought the victims to Amma Jadsac District Hospital located at Poblacion while the suspect fled to unknown direction. Lacar suffered stab wound on his left abdomen while Castillo also suffered stab wound on his left chest. Both victims were transferred to Far North General Hospital and Training Center at Luna, Apayao for treatment.

Follow-up investigation resulted in the identification of the suspect identified as Benigno Calibuyo Echanique, 57, of  Amado, Pudtol.

He was identified s the culprit by Harold Dapena Lacar, 18, resident of Barangay San Antonio, who witnessed the incident.

On Nov. 17, Lacar died while undergoing medical treatment at Far North General Hospital and Training Center while Castillo is still undergoing treatment at Amma Jadsac District Hospital.

 The suspect voluntarily surrendered to police officers. Documents are being prepared for filling of case against the suspect.

Pine lumber, chainsaw confiscated in Sagada 

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Police were conducting patrol here Nov. 16 around 5 p.m. when they chanced upon abandoned pine lumbers at Sitio Lasig, Patay scattered about 300 meters away from the road. The personnel recovered 52 pieces of pine lumber totaling to 348.33 board feet with market value of P10, 449.

Police scoured the area and found a chainsaw with defaced serial number. No person was arrested during the operation.  The recovered pine lumbers and chainsaw were brought to Sagada police station.

 Man arrested for firing gun

TABUK, Kalinga – A man was arrested for indiscriminate firearm here around 8:45 p.m. of Nov. 16 in front of Apolinar residence at Bado Dangwa.

Investigation disclosed around 8-8:30 p.m., a certain Felicisima Safra and here driver identified as Jay-ar Songasong Bumacas aka Puking went to the house of Rona Apolinar located at Bado Dangwa near 503rd Brigade camp to confront her about an issue being circulated. Accordingly, Bumacas went inside and forced Rona to go outside the house and talk to Felicisima Safra but she refused and insisted that they should talk inside. Bumacas went outside then proceeded to the area where he parked the car then gunshots were heard after. 

 Responding cops received two empty shells of cal. 9mm which were recovered by Army personnel of the 503rd Brigade in the area. Further, a Cal. 9mm with a magazine and six bullets were turned over by Bumacas to police.

The latter was not able to present any document hence, he was arrested and brought to Tabuk police station for documentation and proper disposition.

Farmer’s body found in shanty 

BUGUIAS, Benguet – A concerned citizen reported to police here a cadaver was found at Barangay Bangao on Nov. 16.  Benguet.

The duty investigator of the police station immediately proceeded at the above cited place, however the cadaver was already brought to Lutheran Hospital, Barangay Abatan by concerned residents.

The body was later identified as that of Julian Vicente Magastino, 46, farmer and a native of San Ramon, Aglipay, Quirino province.

                Initial investigation disclosed the victim had a drinking session with his co-farm workers afternoon of Nov. 15 at said place when his companions observed that Magastino was complaining of chest pain.

Around 5 a.m. of Nov. 16, he went home at his garden shanty and around 6 a.m. the same day, his neighbor found him lifeless inside his shanty.

The cadaver was brought to the morgue of the Lutheran Hospital awaiting the arrival of the family members of the deceased.

Banaue souvenir shop burned 

BANAUE, Ifugao – As one-storey souvenir shop was burned here Nov. 16 around 5:30 a.m. at Sitio Tiger, View Point. The burning structure was a 1-storey building souvenir shop with GI sheet walling and roof owned by Esther Mahaldot Limangan, 62.

 Investigation disclosed Limangan was inside her residence when someone shouted fire was in progress that prompted her to go out and saw her shop on fire.

Fire was declared out at about 6:30 a.m. by responding BFP personnel. Estimated cost of damages was P900, 000. 

 Lady files complaint vs partner for maltreatment

BAGUIO CITY – A 24-year-old lady filed a complaint with police saying she was abused by her live-in partner Nov. 16 around 9:50 p.m. here at Manga Road, Sitio Ongasan, Loakan Proper.

Complainant of Sarah Joy Santos, 24, filed a case for violation of Republic Act 9262 (violence against women and children) against Aldrin Racho, 29. Both are residents of said address.

 Investigation disclosed both had a heated argument and during their altercation, the suspect tapped the victim’s head, slapped her face and choked her. The victim called her parents and reported the incident to police.

Responding cops arrested the suspect and brought him to police station. He later had to undergo inquest proceedings.

Riding-in tandem shoot man, 50 

BANGUED, Abra – A 50-year-old man was shot by two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle here Nov. 17 around 4:25 p.m. here in Sitio Nagtupacan, Barangay Bangbangar.

Investigation disclosed around 3:40 p.m. while the victim named Lorenzo Bio Rabang,  married of Sitio Surcok, Bangbangar was betting on STL at Jhunaled store, his assailants suddenly appeared riding a motorcycle  and shot the victim multiple gunshot wounds on his body.

The victim was rushed to Seares hospital for medical treatment while the suspects fled heading towards Bangued plaza. Police  immediately conducted pursuit operation to arrest the suspects. A police report did not say what happened to the victim.

Widow, 61, hit by motorcycle dies

TABUK CITY – A 61-year-old widow was killed when she was hit by a motorcycle here Nov. 17 around 6 p.m.

 at the national road particularly at P-3, Bulanao.

The victim who was crossing the road was hit by motorcycle driven by Rafy Sabado Bastaoang, 31, of Malaggay Street, Casigayan of this city while the victim was identified as Virginia Bitog Tangob, of Purok 6, Casabaan, Bulanao.

Based on CCTV footage from Viloria Palay Buying Station, the victim came from the center island of the national road running northward at the pedestrian lane when she was accidentally bumped by the oncoming motorcycle.

The victim tumbled down onto the road while the driver and motorcycle crashed near the victim.

The victim who sustained head injury was brought by police to Kalinga Provincial Hospital but expired later at around 8:40 p.m. while undergoing medical treatment. The driver of the motorcycle suffered slight injury.

 132 graduate Benguet drug rehab program

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – One-hundred thirty two drug surrenderees have completed the drug rehabilitation process under the GILAS-Buguias and Philippine National Police’s Recovery Wellness Program.

Simple completion rites were held in Buguias, Benguet on November 15.

Chief Supt.Rolando Nana, Cordillera regional police chief, said the 132 graduates were given recovery modules and attended coaching and therapeutic sessions handled by rehabilitation specialists.

GILAS-Buguias, or a group of sons of Buguias who support the town’s progress”, was formed in 2016 after President Duterte encouraged those engaged in illegal drugs to voluntarily surrender and avail of the services of the government.

A series of lectures, immersions, and application are contained in the PNP program of instruction.

The graduates were advised to apply what they have learned from the program and not to revert back to their old ways, as this will create other problems for their families and the community.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Benguet Vice Gov.Florence Tingbaoen, Buguias Mayor Ruben Tinda-an and local officials.

Nana, encouraged the graduates to be an advocate of the program in their respective barangays, and reminded them to avoid the temptation of going back to illegal drugs.

He also asked the family members of the drug rehabilitation program graduates to fully support the recovery of their kin.

Korean desks set in PNP stations

BAGUIO CITY – The Korea National Police Agency sent superintendents and establish desks in each city of the Philippines where many Koreans stay due to violent crimes in the Philippines. 

The main purpose of Korean desks is to protect Koreans from violent crimes and help to ensure that criminal investigation is fast and impartial. 

The other purposes are to arrest the criminals who ran away to the Philippines.

Baguio City is safer than other cities as there are lesser violent crimes like murder, robbery, rape and kidnapping. police said.

Korean desk personnel work with the Dept. of Justice including Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation. Korean desk also hold safety seminars with the Korean Consulate and citizens to inform them of Philippine law and what they should do to avoid crimes. 

According to Jung, superintendent of korean desk here, "they always tries to contribute to the peace and order of the city."

According to Bureau of Immigration, there are 2,000 koreans in Baguio City. – Sohee Kim